Arsenal saw most of the ball and more of the chances in their Champions League group game at home to Borussia Dortmund, though a late sucker-punch from striker Robert Lewandowski meant Arsène Wenger’s side came away with no points to show for their efforts.
Arsenal vs. Borussia Dortmund: Final score 1-2, Lewandowski hits Gunners with late sucker-punch
Arsenal controlled possession for the majority of their clash with Borussia Dortmund, though a late Robert Lewandowski goal saw them come away with nothing.
Mike Hewitt
More from our team blogs: Arsenal blog The Short Fuse
It was the visitors who looked more dangerous in the opening few minutes, though Arsenal's center backs stayed resolute and restricted Dortmund to shots from outside the area -- though unfortunately not for long. It took just 16 minutes before Jürgen Klopp's side capitalized on their territorial dominance and opened the scoring -- albeit with a big helping hand from Aaron Ramsey.
The Welsh midfielder’s pocket was picked by Marco Reus on the edge of the Gunners’ penalty area, with Robert Lewandowski picking up the ball and threading the ball through to a free Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Through on goal, the Armenian made no mistake, capping a distinctly uninspiring opening from Arsenal by firing Dortmund into the lead.
Arsenal looked totally out-muscled in midfield, with Dortmund’s midfield pivot of Sven Bender and Nuri Şahin denying Mesut Özil any room to work and frustrating the hosts. But, as the half wore on the visitors looked increasingly happy to sit back, and the Gunners were soon allowed more time on the ball.
Tomáš Rosický went within inches of netting an equalizer from the edge of the area inside the 10 minutes of the half, though his half-volley was scrambled off the line by Mats Hummels. Gradually growing in confidence, Arsenal finally drew level five minutes later. Some rather unimpressive goalkeeping from Roman Weidenfeller meant Bacary Sagna's deep cross popped up in the area for Olivier Giroud, who smashed the ball into an open goal for 1-1.
The second half got off to a fairly uneventful start, with Dortmund assuming control of possession, but being unable to do much with it. Right back Kevin Großkreutz was presented with a reasonably good chance just over 10 minute after the restart, though after being played in by Mkhitarayan his tame effort was comfortably held by Szczęsny.
Arsenal substitute Santi Cazorla went closer with just over 20 minutes remaining, in arguably the hosts' best interchange of the match. Some great one-touch football down the right ended with Özil playing a pass for the onrushing Spanish playmaker on the edge of the area, though his effort agonizingly cracked against the bar.
The Gunners looked more threatening and assured in their ventures toward the Dortmund penalty area, though were sucker-punched inside the final 10 minutes. Doing what they do best, the visitors surged forward down the right on the counterattack, with substitute Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang finding Großkreutz on the flank. The right back’s cross was perfect, finding a free Lewandowski in the area. Needless to say, the Polish international made no mistake.
It was a bitter pill for Arsenal to swallow, having come to dominate most of the second half. However, they left themselves exposed on the counter, and were unable to net an equalizer before the final whistle. The result is a Champions League group of death, which is looking as scary as ever.
Arsenal starting lineup: Wojciech Szczęsny; Kieran Gibbs, Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker, Bacary Sagna; Aaron Ramsey (Nicklas Bendtner 86'), Mikel Arteta; Jack Wilshere (Santi Cazorla 58'), Mesut Özil, Tomáš Rosický (Serge Gnabry 89'); Olivier Giroud.
Goals: Giroud 41’.
Borussia Dortmund starting lineup: Roman Weidenfeller; Marcel Schmelzer, Mats Hummels, Neven Subotić, Kevin Großkreutz; Sven Bender, Nuri Şahin; Marco Reus (Sokratis Papastathopoulos 87’), Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Jonas Hofmann 66’), Jakub Błaszczykowski (Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 66’); Robert Lewandowski.
Goals: Mkhitaryan 16’, Lewandowski 82’.
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